Panjab University (PU) has plans of increasing the remuneration for teachers appointed on examination duty. The step comes in the wake of growing resentment among teachers from various colleges with regard to the low remuneration. Many teachers from various colleges are appointed on examination duty every year, which includes invigilation duty, evaluation duty and flying squads comprising senior professors to check cheating cases.

As per the present system, a teacher gets Rs 15 for evaluating one answer sheet for under-graduate exams and Rs 18 for post-graduate examinations. Teachers rued that the charges were much lower than those given by other universities and even the Central Board of Secondary Education for checking answer sheets of school students.

“The Senate had decided to increase remuneration for teachers on examination duty in 2012. However, this did not happen last year or even this year,” said PU Fellow Dr R P S Josh, while adding that concerns of teachers must be addressed on time.

Another teacher from the Post-Graduate Government College in Sector 11, Dr Manoj said, “PU should have made the increase with the onset of examinations and not waited for teachers to come onto the streets to voice demands. As teachers we do not like if we have to protest to get our issues addressed.”

The increase was approved in principle by PU vice-chancellor Professor Arun Kumar Grover, who termed it an ‘important and urgent issue’.

In fact, some teachers stopped working briefly at an examination centre to raise the issue, after which the V-C and the PU Controller of Examinations Professor Parvinder Singh visited the spot.

Confirming the decision, CoE Professor Singh said that a committee headed by Dean University Instructions (DUI) had been formed and would meet soon to take a decision. “Teachers do not have to worry as it is decided that remuneration will be increased. The value of increase is yet to be determined,” he said.

The decision will be implemented with effect from April 1. All teachers on examination duty will be eligible for the same, confirmed Professor Singh. Examinations at Panjab University and its affiliated colleges will end on June 23.